Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1887-07-01

think ! understand the Indian, and
can speak with some degree of knowl
edge Of his characteristics and habits
After going through the civil war,
served two enlistments-ten years-as
private, corporal, and sergeant in the
Seventh Calvary, under General Gus
ter. ~ 49,. s., ~ -.
II was with Custer when he struck
Black Kettles Band, on the Washita
in '68; Twas with him in the Black Hills
in "a: on the Yello Gstone in '73; and
when he died like the hero he was in
the battle of the Little Big Horn,
was with Reno on the other part Of
the field, besieged by Sitting Bull, and
as near to death as I ever expect to
be, until the final bugle call comes.
Il can assure you, gentlemen, that
the Indian Is brave, sometimes superb
~ so, but he often seems to be an ar
rant coward. He will run away from
superior, or even equal numbers, for
he considers it poor generalship to
fight when the odds are not in his
favor. .
"After doing you all the damage he
can, he will not hesitate to run away,
for the possession of the field of battle
is not with HIM, as it is with us, a
point OF honor and a proof ofvictory.
'Yet, if you once encounter him
when els 'cornered, when he isforced
to fight superior numbers, when he is
toying to save a. fallen friend from be-
ing scalped, or when he is badly
wounded, you will find in him a degree
OF courage anything but pleasant for
his assailant.
%. "The closest call I ever had in my
life, not even excepting that horrible
day with Reno, was on an expedition
from Fort Hays to Fort Lyon in
1868, and [ then had an experience
with the Indians that I shall never
forget.
Our command consisted of twenty
men, under Lieutenant Barlow, a
young officer who had been in service
only a little over two years, but who
was known as q man OF good judg.
ment, GOODNESS, and bravery Weleft
Fort Hays, and marched several days
without any incident worth mention
ing, until we were within a days
march OF the Arkansas river, and not
very far from our destination.
"Late in the afternoon we saw sew
eral Indians in che distance on our
right, and, later, quite a large mount
ed party, evidently Indians also, on
our left. 1t was evident that the saw
ages, perhaps in force, were in our vi
entity, and every man in command
was on the alert. We had with us a.
train Of fifteen pack-mules, and they,
with our horses, were enough OF a.
prize to make an Indian attack more
than probable. ~
However, nothing more was seen
OF the Indians that day, and we went
into camp. at sunset, hobbling and
picketing our animals, and watching
with anxiety for an attack. We had
reason to be anxious. Our force was
small; and we had, moreover, been
compelled to make dry. camp
that is, there was mo- stream or water
OF any kind where we encamped, and
the only water we had was that re-
manning in our canteens.
"You may be sure that a careful
watch was kept that night. Barlow
knew his business thoroughly, and
putting his men in a large buffalo
wallow, he had them deepen it still
more, and throw up a slight breast
work of earth around it. The fires
had been carefully extinguished, and
the night was one OF the darkest that
have ever seen. 49,.
eve did not expect an attack be-
fore morning, for the Indians nave d
strange, superstitioue5 fear OF the
dark, but we knew very we'll that the
first streaks of dawning light would
bring danger for late dusk and
early dawn are the fayopite hours for
Indian attacks. i, 5s....,, i. -. X :
Cali was quiet during the night.
About two o'clock in the morning, l
was relieved from guard by the other
sergeant, and, alter reporting to the
lieutenant, Hay down TO catch few
Winks Of sleep. My nap seemed very
brief, and was awakened by one of
the men, who shook me by the shout
der saying, Sergeant, get up. Here's
business ahead. or I'm a fool.' It
was just early gray daylight, but we
could see the Indians "a large band of
them getting ready for q dash upon
US. y. Ne 81: #s ;sss5ss ,. # ..ssT
Every man in the camp was soon
in his place, ready to repulse the enc
my, while Barlow, as cool as if he
was on dress parade, cautioned us
not to waste q shot, nor fire until he
gave the signal. s=5,
1.-THE redskins did not keep us long
in suspense. Down they dashed, at
full speed, until nearly within rifle
range, when they began circling around
Us, yelling like dends, while our ami
mails began to snort with fright, and
to tug violently ut the plcket-ropes
and hobbies. s. s55.5 y
/. Soon two young braves made a
dash towards our stock, W eving red
blankets, and yelling like demons.
They kept their bodies on the far side
of their ponies, exposing only an arm
and afoot as they rode towards us. h
there was IN our command q little
Irishman, by the name of Flanagan,
who was an excellent rifle shot. As
these two young braves rode towards
ms, the lieutenant said, Flanagan,
give that rascal nearest us shot
Up came FlanaRan's rifle. a shot
rang out, and down came the pony
]. This was our first shot, and itWas
worth good deal.
The other Indian did not fancy
such sharp citing and ran back 10